Graduation Celebration Reads!

Posted May 19, 2023 by Lauren Redding

Happy Graduation Day to those who celebrate! 

I’ve had a week of travel and music and packing since I turned in my last final, and I’ve been celebrating my impending graduation (and the new job for fall in Chelsea School District that I am very excited for) in typical librarian fashion, of course, by reading. 

Here’s five 50 word recommendations of my celebratory reads, none of which are on the topic of school at all:

Mad About You by Mhairi McFarlane 

McFarlane deals mostly in mid-thirties coming-of-age stories with a romance thrown in there too, and every book I’ve read of hers has been utterly entertaining on every page. Genuinely funny, painfully heartbreaking, and full of well-rounded characters, Mad About You was no exception. Great for fans of dry British humor.

When You Get The Chance by Emma Lord

Lord writes the type of contemporary YA that sets the standard for the rest. Movie-inspired plot premises become both grounded and heighted in her hands. When You Get The Chance was full of musical theatre references, a full cast of charming characters, and bucketloads of sparkle and glitter and shine. 

Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean

I checked this out after one of my students read it. A classic Princess Diaries plot takes on new depth when set in Japan. Breezy and quickly paced without skimping on sumptuous imagery details, it was so fun being with Izumi on her journey to meet her father and connect with her heritage. 

Darius The Great Deserves Better by Adib Khorram

Ever since I read Darius The Great Is Not Okay during LIS 483 (Library Collections and Materials for Young Adults), I have been so excited to hang out with Darius again. For me Darius is in the hall of fame of great YA narrators. He has an unmistakably distinct voice and such a warm manner that draws readers in. 

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez 

Jimenez is an automatic-read adult romance author for me, and this one came on enthusiastic special recommendation from my friend Savannah. A fun and warm-hearted take on the big-city-girl/small-town-boy dynamic with a lot of talk about family legacies and community. Full of fun situational humor and believable high stakes.

Thus concludes my time at Simmons! Remember to back up all the stuff in your Simmons google drive before making your way out into the wide wonderful world! Shake your tail feather!